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Single cut design - advantages ?

OldogNewTrick

OldogNewTrick

Dec 28, 2004
1,816
1,236
Germany, EU
#1
Hi, I've been always looking at those gorgeous single-cut basses, Fodera's (Bona, Jackson :cool:), Marleaux, Human Base, Elrick, many distinguished companies have single-cut designs in their catalogue.

What are the advantages / disadvantages of this design ?
 
#4
I went SC on my Stambaugh fretted 6- I had heard that the neck is more stable doue to more substantial connection to the body, but the builder said he didn't think it made much difference. I've had him do two more basses since that one, both double-cut.
 
#5
Personally I think it's almost 100% cosmetic. I have two FBB's, one SC and one DC, and from a feel and playability perspective they are essentially the same. As said above, the additional weight of a SC could be an issue for some (doesn't really matter to me at all).

I'll be ordering another bass from Matt early next year, likely it will be another SC .... I prefer the look of it .... :cool:
 
#7
Fodera
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Human Base
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Marleaux
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#8
SurrenderMonkey said:
The legend also is that single cut tighten the B due to the added mass along the neck. In reality, I don't know...
Click to expand...

All the SC basses I've played had a superb B-string.
Don't know, if its the aditional rigidity along the B-string side of the neck or what - might be just also coincidence and simply due to the fact that these bass builders do an excellent job on their 5 stringers no matter what the design...

maybe I just want to be able to play like Bona or Jackson... :hiding:
 
#10
I have a Ken Lawrence Brase - it is a set-neck single-cut that is the best bass I own. Ken's take on it is that the single-cuts support the neck a little more and they transfer the vibrations between the neck and body more. I just know that it is the most "alive" and responsive bass I have ever played.

Dan K.
 
#13
I just traded this R-Bass a couple of weeks ago. My opinion is that the advantages and disadvantages are all bass specific. I have played some single-cuts that are just awkward to play, sounded horrible, and weighed a ton. I have also played some double-cuts that fall into that same category. What I have found is that typically single-cuts balance out better, look awesome, and beg you to play up high on the fingerboard.
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#14
I've often wondered if the single cut design, because it fixes the bass side in place, might make them more prone to becoming twisted.

Mind you, I have no experience, and I'm not saying that it even happens, but it's something I've thought about.
 
#15
I absolutely love the look of the high end singlecut basses and how the ones I have tried play.

A disadvantage for me is that I play classic rock and metal in dumpy bars and would look like an idiot rocking out with a great big singlecut. I am 5'6" also which likely wouldn't help make one look cool.

Kinda like a guitard dragging out a Gibson ES-1275 Double neck guitar for a $100 cover band gig IMO.

BTW... I am saying that the Fodera and Elrick looking ones are too big for me... I could likely rock the above Marleaux:bassist:
 
#17
Dan Knowlton said:
I have a Ken Lawrence Brase - it is a set-neck single-cut that is the best bass I own. Ken's take on it is that the single-cuts support the neck a little more and they transfer the vibrations between the neck and body more. I just know that it is the most "alive" and responsive bass I have ever played.

Dan K.
Click to expand...

So far I've had 4 SC. Two Ken Lawrence Brase I (set-necks), a Stambaugh NTSC5P (neckthrough) and one R-Bass (bolt-on), all 5str. The overall experience with the SC approach has been great. the Brases are very lively, the Stambaugh very organic and the R very full (woods and electronics really revealed their true colors there). In fact, the first one of the Ken Lawrence I bought was Ken's original Brase made from heavy Northern Ash, very EXPLOSIVE sounding (along with my avatar Dingwall they are the most growly and punchy basses)
 

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